Mukbang is a short film about a white teenage girl fascinated by Korean online culture binge-eating Mukbang shows her sexual awakening.
It is Australian actress Elizabeth Scanlen’s debut film as a director and won the Rouben Mamoulian Award for best short film director at Sydney Film Festival last month.
Sydney Film Festival award-winning film Mukbang directed by Australian actress Eliza Scanlen Source: Official poster
After receiving the short film award for best director at the Sydney Film Festival, Eliza Scanlen’s debut film as a director Mukbang drew controversy over appropriating Korean, racial discrimination, and post-edit
SBS Korean program talks to Dr Jane Park, Senior Lecturer in Department of Gender and Cultural Studies, The University of Sydney about the controversial film Mukbang and systemic racism and white supremacy in film industry.
Dr Park said as she hasn't watched the movie, it was hard for her to say it is culturally appropriate or homage.
"It is kind of impossible to say because in my view until you actually watch what are the film or story does, with how another culture is representative" she said.
Dr Jane Park agreed a criticism there has been a long history of systemic racism and white supremacy in film industry around world including Australia.
"When people say a word White Supremacy, it is a lot like a word racist. Everybody got really very angry and upset. I would say a word white dominant which is actually truth."
"Not just film industry. When you look at art, academia, cooperation and big institutes in Australia at the very top power is controlled by white men and women." she said.
However, Dr Park pointed out grassroots activities against conservative film industry over the past decade and global success of Korean movie Parasite seem to bring a new future.
The full interview with Dr Jane Park is available on the podcast above.
